Final Thoughts!

July 28, 2013

Whew!  What a Jamboree it was!  By Noon on Wednesday, July 25, the Summit was empty of the 40,000 Scouts, Leaders and Staff who occupied it as home over the last 15 days.  Except for a few Alpha 3 Team members, everyone was on their way home by 3 pm.

It is good to be home, back with my family who I missed dearly.  Once Odie and I were on our way, we stopped to get a hot shower, meal and good night's sleep prior to making the drive on Thursday back to Jacksonville.

For me, this was a surreal experience.  Seeing the Summit built in my childhood home and to be a part of the first ever Jamboree at this place was a personal and rewarding experience for me.  Being grounded at the Scout level, to camp on the Garden Ground area and to be a Scout again....will be a memory that will not easily fade away from me.

The National Jamboree brought the heat, the cold, the rain and the challenges of a new facility with a robust and dynamic- high adventure program.  While not everything went as smoothly as it might have, it was the consensus of all who attended that this National Jamboree was great and was one for the history books!

Perhaps the greatest memory that I will hang on to will be the experiences that I enjoyed working with the volunteer team members of Alpha 3 Sub Camp.  These individuals representing all walks of life, races, gender and geography came together as a team, focused on insuring that the first National Jamboree campers at the Summit had an awesome time.  It was a personal privilege to have met and worked with them.

On the way out of town, I stopped by the City offices of Mt. Hope, to drop off some donations to Mayor Mike Martin- as a residual from the Day of Service.  Mike is a family friend and we enjoyed the opportunity to visit and celebrate the arrival of the Boy Scouts to this area.

For over 100 years, the Boy Scout program has been training young people in citizenship, character and physical fitness.  Young people learn the vital values embedded in the Scout Oath and Law.  Scouts grow up to be participating and productive husbands, fathers, employers, employees and leaders.

It is awesome to now know that for the next 100 years, the Scouting movement will continue its long standing traditions....and, my hometown of Mt. Hope, WV will be the new launching pad for the Scouting movement.

My professional work is to insure that every young person that wishes to be a Scout gets the opportunity to do so.  Further, I hope that every Scout gets an opportunity to visit Southern West Virginia to the Summit for either a High Adventure Trek or a National or World Jamboree.  It will be a life changing experience.

This will be my last post and I appreciate all who have followed me.  Tomorrow, I return to being Jack Sears, Scout Executive/CEO of the North Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America- whose vision is to offer the Scouting and Learning for Life program of the highest calibre to the greatest number of young people possible.  So long Jamboree Jack!

Staff photo of Alpha 3 Sub Camp Team

Zip Lines are but one of the robust high adventure
programs that await Scouts at the Summit

When it rains....it pours at the Summit

Gotta love that 'Jamboree" mud....it was everywhere

Fireworks light up the Garden Ground area
to wrap up our Jamboree

Departure day....the weather was not on our side

Mike Martin- Mayor- City of Mt. Hope, WV
Gateway to the Summit.
I enjoyed a parting visit with our family friend and we
celebrated the arrival of the Boy Scouts to Southern West Virginia.

To Help Other People at All Times!

July 23, 2013

The Jamboree is winding down.  In a few days, we will be packing up and heading our separate ways.  The footprint of this place and this experience will forever change the quality of life in Southern West Virginia.  Besides the economic benefit of the Summit and the National Jamboree to the surrounding area--thousands of community service projects and hours have been provided by the Scouts to the citizens in this area.

During the Jamboree any leftover shelf stable food items were collected  and picked up by the Food Bank of West Virginia.  The Chaplains in our Sub Camp coordinated this "Good Turn".   As of July 22 the National Jamboree had filled to the brim 5- 55 ft long tractor-trailer loads of edible food to the Food Bank.  With 2 days left to go, I suspect that there will be much more.

"To Help Other People at All Times!"-  It is what we teach the Scouts....and it is what the National Scout Jamboree did here in Southern West Virginia.  Take care and more to follow......Jamboree Jack

Meet our Chaplains.  From left to Right

Keith Caldwell- Stake President Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- Utah
Father Joseph Powers- Catholic Church- Missouri
Rev. Scott Thayer- Disciples of Christ- Bethany, WV
Joe Hoover- United Methodist Church- Louisiana

Rev. Thayer was the driver and coordinator of this effort.  He was particularly pleased
to help the citizens of his State.
All food was taken to the Food Bank of West Virginia in the center of the State
in Gassaway (Braxton County) WV.

Loading the tractor trailer.

Even Jamboree Jack lent a helping hand.

Ambient Showers- yea right!

July 22, 2013

My intent was to post each day on this blog; however, the demands of my time have not permitted that.  Let me catch up.

The Summit is the Boy Scouts of America's 5th National High Adventure Base.  You can learn more about the activities that Scouts can participate by visiting www.SummitHighAdventure.org.  The National Jamboree has served as a launch for the use of the property.  This web site provides great information on the property and its High Adventure program.  Be sure to check it out.

Now, let me address this whole thing of "Ambient" Showers.  The Summit was built as a model of eco-friendly, sustainable property.  With that in mind, technology to mine the power of the sun is being used to fuel electronic devices and the water.

It is a huge joke to call the shower water here "Ambient"- (which I understand to be warmed by the Sun in a tank and then piped throughout).   Remember- I grew up here in Southern West Virgina---it is ground water and it is cold.  When you attend the Summit, you need to brace and prepare yourself for this.  My solar heated shower bag has provided some relief from the cold water.  I haven't had a warm, hot shower in over 2 weeks----and I am craving one.

On Sunday there were several and varied religious services to help the Scouts keep "Their Duty to God".  I attended the Roman Catholic Mass in which 10,000 Scouts and Scouters celebrated the holy Eucharist.  Even in the rain, it was one of the most uplifting experiences that I have participated in since being here.  I even prayed for warm shower water....... 

Hope you enjoy the pictures.  There are two days left in Jamboree.  I hope to share at least 2-3 more posts with the final being some time after I get home; visit with my family which I dearly miss, get a hot shower and a clean bed for a good night's sleep.  Take care, more to follow from Jamboree Jack.

AT & T provides many of these solar charging stations for
electronic devices for the Scouts.

We recycle everything- check out the stack of cardboard.
This is 4 days worth of cardboard for our Sub Camp.

More recycling- we break em out in many ways.

Randall Stephenson- Chairman & CEO of AT & T
held a reception for all Sub Camp Chiefs,  Directors and Commissioners
to say thanks for our help at the Jamboree.
Randall is the Chairman of the National Scout Jamboree.

Rainy Sunday morning for Mass.  10,000 Scouts and Scout Leaders
attended.  We stood in the rain to celebrate the holy Mass.
It was an awesome experience.

The Celebrant for the Mass was
Pope Francis ambassador
Archbishop Carlos Maria Vigano
Papal Nuncio to the United States of America.

Meet Tony DeSalvo from Williamsport, PA
He has attended every National Scout Jamboree
since 1937.  It was a great experience to visit with him.

This was a special opportunity.  I met my college roommate from Salem College, WV - Joe Hebda.
The last time that I saw Joe was at the National Scout Jamboree in 1997.
During that Jamboree, I met his young son Zach and taught Zach how to
tie a square knot.  Zach was excited to become a Scout.
Sadly, Zach died from cancer about 18 months after this visit.
Joe has built a foundation in Zach's memory to raise funds for
childhood cancer research.
www.hebdafoundation.org

Camp Life

July 19, 2013

The Sub Camp has been real busy the last couple of days.  On Wednesday, our 2,000 Scouts boarded buses and headed out into Southern WV to perform community service for various non-profit and community organizations- as part of Scouting's Messengers of Peace program. A fundamental precept of Scouting is to teach good citizenship and "a Scout is to help other people at all times."  The Messengers of Peace program helps to reinforce this value. The stories that the leaders and Scouts have been sharing have been incredible and my native Appalachia has been the benefit of the good hard work of thousands of Scouts.  I am so pleased and happy.

Today, our group went on a hike to Garden Ground Mountain- which is a signature event at the Summit.  It is a 5 mile hike each way to the Summit of the Mountain.  All along the way there are highland and buckskin traditional games and activities to participate in.  A large campfire ring is being constructed at the top.  Each Scout Troop that makes the hike has been asked to bring a rock with their Troop number engraved on it, to form the base of a new and permanent campfire ring.  A great tradition for the first Jamboree held at Scouting's fifth high adventure base.

I had the opportunity to visit with a couple of North Florida Council Board members as well as walk around Summit Center over the last couple of days.  In addition, the activity at the HQ has picked up with requests for service, questions, etc.

It has been over 25 years since I served as a Camp Director.  Lot's of challenges in dealing with Scouts, their leaders, parents and the logistics to maximize their experience.  I have been getting up at 5:30 am each morning to attend Mass at 6 am.  Breakfast at 6:30 am- then it is full speed ahead.  I usually don't get to bed until midnight or shortly thereafter.  The work is made fun because of the people that I work with.  They are a great bunch of dedicated Scout volunteers who have not only donated their time, but paid the full Jamboree fee to be here to support the Scout's experience.  I admire and appreciate them greatly.

Hope you enjoy the photos!  Jamboree Jack!

P.S.-  Wait til I write about the "ambient" showers.....oh goody!

BMX race tracks all over the place!

Here is my tent.  I share with 2 other folks.  I am
on the bottom bunk- right side of the tent.

North Florida Council Contingent invites me to sign
their rock, to be placed at the base of the new campfire
ring at the top of Garden Ground Mountain.

The art of Patch trading is large and in charge.

Enjoyed a visit with a couple of North Florida Council
Executive Board Members.
From left to right- Dr. Michael Freeman- who is working as a
medical officer at Base Camp E at the Summit;
Terry Crawford- who flew up from Ocala, Fl
for a visit &
Jamboree Jack Sears &
Scout Executive CEO- North Florida Council

It is the official Boy Scout Jamboree Band!

 T

The Barrels- is the Shooting Sports Complex
at the Summit.  Shotguns, Rifles and Pistols.
It is awesome- here is one of the 25 five stands that I counted.

Ok- I have been here for 10 days.  Time to
do laundry.  We use an official make-shift Sub Camp A3
washing machine which is
a mop bucket.  Clothes are rung out to dry
and hung on tent lines to air dry!

Day 1- Let's Get this Party Started

July 16, 2013

With right at 30,000 Scouts all settled in and their 6,000 volunteer staff- the Jamboree went into high gear and full swing on Tuesday, July 16.  The morning began with a Show at the new AT & T Stadium.  The Governor of West Virginia presented the Scouts a WV Flag and Country Music artist Taylor Made provided entertainment.  The afternoon saw the opening of Summit Center and of course the time honored tradition of patch trading.  Take care, more to follow- Jamboree Jack

Sub Camp A3 Leadership Team
From Left to Right- Jack Sears- Director;
Shaw McVeigh- Chief & Steve Gamewell- Commissioner

Opening Show!  30,000 + in AT & T Stadium!

Bronze Statue of Stephen Bechtel
honoring his family's $50 Million
Dollar commitment to build the Summit

Tune in daily to our own radio station!

Be careful in the bathrooms- there is more than
just people in there!

Here are 8,000 Scouts in line to march to
the opening show.  They are crossing a Steel swinging bridge
that connects Base Camps A & B to Summit Center.
When you get on the bridge it sways-
feels like your are on a boat in the ocean!
It's the Monkey Bridge of the 21st Century!

We eat our meals with the Troops.
My first meal was with Troop A314 a contingent
from Salt Lake City, Utah!

More stadium show views!  Wow!

Wow!  Glad we got across that bridge and made it
to stable land!

This sign says it all.......

Sunset- Day 1!  Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
demonstrates why it is "Almost Heaven"!

It's Here! Arrival Day!

July 15, 2013

Our day today began with a wake up call at 4:30 am.  Breakfast was served to the Sub Camp by HQ at 5 am.  We were prepared for the first arrival of Scouts at 6:30 am.  When it was all said and done- 50 Troops-  2000 +/-.  It was hot.  During the course of the day, the public address alarm system put the Jamboree into a Red Flag Heat Advisory.  All participants due to heat were asked to drink 1 quart of water every hour.  Further, everyone was directed to seek shade as often as possible.

The enthusiasm and look on the participants when they saw the Summit and the Jamboree site was like a child on Christmas morning!  Hope you enjoy the pictures of the Day!  It was a long, hot day.  Following a leaders meeting at 8:30 pm shower, I headed out to bed.  More to follow- Jamboree Jack

Jambo Jack at 6:30 am on Arrival Day!

Buses arriving and unloading at Base Camp A.
The Scouts unloaded the bus and then carried and hiked
to Sub Camp A3.

Inside the HQ tent with our team on arrival day.
My desk is in the very back- left corner.

I hiked up to the top of the Base Camp to take an
early morning picture of the site- before the arrival.

This is was the site at 5 pm!  The sea of Green are ours!

Each Base Camp has a full medical facility to support
medical emergencies.

Typical Troop site set up and ready to go!

Here are the Scouts unloading the Pods of Tents and Equipment

Get Ready to Go Big & Get Wild

July 14, 2013

The time has come.  Three years of construction, 100's of millions of dollars of investment and now 6,000 volunteer staff on site- are ready to go.  Monday is arrival day for 27,000 Scouts and their leaders.  Enjoy the pictures from today's activities.  More to follow-  Jamboree Jack!

A Scout is Reverent

Embedded in our Sub Camp is a Catholic Priest.
Father Joseph Powers from Kansas City
celebrated Mass for us this morning to begin the day!

Lunch on the Go!

You pick up your lunch at Breakfast and
eat "on the go".
Yummy!

Nice Benches!

With all the walking that you do....
it is nice to have a place to sit!

AT & T Stadium!

This evening a rock concert was provided to the volunteer staff
in appreciation for all their hard preparation and work!